Need some help/direction please - I am going to be ordering a new bumper (RR/LoD or ShrockWorks) and want to install fog lights. My JK did not come with factory fogs so there is no switch in the cabin. What I would like to do is wire them in and place a rocker switch in the dash beside the rear locker switch and e-disco switch.

That being said - I have searched the forum but can't seem to get a handle on anything concrete. I assume that the stock wiring harness has a place to splice into for fog lights since they come stock on some vehicles? So I assume there are directions/info someplace for that. Then - on the other end - where would I hook into that with a rocker switch and how would I get the rocker switch filler panel off? I guess I can buy a rocker switch from Jeep?


I know this sounds like a lot and is not well explained but any help/pointers would be appreciated.

Tia

NewJKInNC

 

From what I've heard, there is no room behind that panel to put a different kind of switch there. Your locker and e-disco switches are actually mounted on a circuit board right behind them.

Does you light switch on the stalk pull out when on? This would be where you turn on the fogs. If it does indeed pull out, then you may have a wire somwhere that would turn them on...


Hoever, the easiest thing to do if you want them on all the time with parking or low beams is to throw a relay on them with a signal wire coming from the parking or low beams.

 

Man - I was hoping to use that rocker switch!! And no - my light stalk does not pull out since it did not have the factory fogs!

I'm curious about your statement of running a relay with a signal wire to the parking or low beams - I believe that is how the factory fogs work - I used to have a 4dr Jk with factory fogs and I believe that when I turned on the fogs - the parking lights came on.

Soooo - can you give me (or point me to a thread/info) on what that would entail?????

You've already been a big help - appreciate it!!

NewJKInNC

 

with factory fogs you have to turn on the drining lights to get the fogs on they go off when the headlight are turn on to hi beam. I could draw up a drawling to show a wire method to get it to work like that if you would like but you would have to find the right wire which should not be to hard with a volt meter.

 

Hi - I have a volt meter (nothing fancy) but I do have one. If you could put something together for me - that would be much appreciated!!! I can PM you an e-mail address if you like - what ever is convenient for you - and again - much appreciated!!!

 

I don't know where exactly you could get more info, however the first thing you have to realize is that when you hook it up the fog lights will be automatic and you won't have manual control. I have done this before, though, to save myself the trouble of running a wire into the cab. I may even do it for some driving lamps to help the high beams.

Option 1. Signal wire to parking lamp. Foglights on anytime oarking lamps on. Fog lights on while headlights are on including high beams. May not be legal in some states, but unless they have a real strict inspection you should be OK.

Option 2. Signal wire to low beam. Foglights on anytime low beams are on, but shut off when high beams are on. Less problems with legal issues, but you don't get the coolness of having them on when just the parking lamps are on.

Option 3. Signal wire to low beam for fog light and high beam for driving light. I did this to my cherokee and it worked pretty well.




I'm going to back up a second, and explain a relay for a second. A relay is a switch that is controlled by electricity rathan than manually. If you install foglights, you could just grab power right from the parking lights, but now you are putting a huge extra load on the ciruit for the parking lamps. However, by using a relay, you will take power directly from the battery to power the fog lights, and just use the power from the parking lights to tell the fog lights when to turn on. There is no load on the signal wire, so it doesn't effect the parking light circuit.

Also, if you are planning more lights than just the fogs, you might as well put switches in the cab, but if you only ever plan to do the fogs my suggestions wil save you from running a wire into the cab.

You will need your volt meter to determine the positive wires for your signal wire.




Let me know what you decide, and I can help you out further!

 

I knew I was forgetting something: Even if you put switches in the cab, you still want to use a relay.

 

There is enough room back there for one switch, but not too much else... Well just kidding, there is....

Is this what you want? I know this is a toggle, but It is for my ESP cutoff.

 

Ok - I think I've got it 2 options

Opt 1 - mount lights
run wire from lights to relay
relay has two wires - one going on to battery and one going to "signal"
- in this case - the parking lights


Opt 2 - mount lights
run wire from lights to relay
one wire from relay goes to battery - other to cab mounted switch.


How close am I (or not as the case may be :-)

thanks again


NewJKInNC

 

Your're rght on. I would definatly go with option 1 if you don't plan to install more lights. If you are already planning on more lights (windshield mounted or otherwise) then I would recomennd Option 2, and when you're running the wires go ahead and prewire for the future.